With home advantage, Ajax entered the match with a high tide, proactively holding the ball and organizing a side attack. However, their lack of improvement prevented them from penetrating Inter's tight defense. The away team played solidly, patiently waiting for opportunities from set pieces.
The turning point came in the 42nd minute. Calhanoglu accurately hung the ball from the right wing, Thuram jumped higher than everyone, headed past goalkeeper Jaros, opening the score for Inter. This goal caused Ajax to fall behind, while Inter confidently entered the second half.
Just 2 minutes after the half started, the familiar scenario recurred. From Calhanoglu's corner kick, Thuram chose a smart position and then fired a dangerous header, doubling the gap in the 47th minute.
Ajax then focused all their efforts on attacking, adding Weghorst and Edvardsen to increase the pressure. However, Sommer in Inter's goal still played focused, continuously neutralizing the long-range shots of Klaassen and Taylor. For Inter, Esposito almost scored the third goal if the shot did not go wide of the post.
The match ended with a 2-0 victory for Inter Milan. Coach Simone Inzaghi's team proved their mettle in European competition with solidity and efficiency. Meanwhile, Ajax, despite their efforts, showed a lack of sharpness in finishing, needing many improvements in the hope of competing for a place to continue.
